Buoyant New Zealand economy attracts Australian workers

Jobs being generated by New Zealand’s
growing economy are attracting the attention of an
increasing number of Australian candidates, according to
Hays in New Zealand.

The recruiter says there has been a
25 to 30 per cent increase in enquiries from Australians
about permanent roles across the Tasman Sea.

According to
the IMF, economic growth in New Zealand is expected to pick
up to 2.9 per cent in 2014, compared to a rate of 2.8 per
cent in Australia, and business and consumer confidence is
on the rise.

“We expect to receive more interest from
Australians as permanent employment opportunities grow along
with the increase in openness from employers towards
temporary/contract employment,” says Jason Walker,
Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand.

“The
demand for strong, experienced and skilled professionals is
increasing and Australian candidates have the advantage of
being permitted to work in the country under the same
conditions as New Zealanders.

“Australian contractors
have been looking at opportunities in New Zealand within the
IT and engineering industries but employers here are less
likely to consider them as they have concerns that employees
will go straight back to Australia the minute the market
improves.

“Another issue for Australians looking for
work in New Zealand is salaries. They can be put off a role
as the remuneration is often lower than what they are used
to.”

This is reflected in the fact that hundreds of jobs
have been shifted to New Zealand over the past few years as
Australian producers try to avoid the impact of high wages,
a soaring Australian dollar and restrictive labour
laws.

Employment in New Zealand increased 1.2 per cent, or
by 27,000 jobs, in the third quarter of 2013, the most since
early 2007, the statistics bureau said last earlier this
month. The jobless rate fell to 6.2 per cent from 6.4 per
cent.

Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in
qualified, professional and skilled people.

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